Over the past three and a half years, AA Accident Assist has helped tens of thousands of drivers who have caused damage to their own vehicle by bumping into things.
Drivers clipping kerbs, bumping into bollards and clipping trees make up the top four items crashed into. In many cases, the object struck was their own property, including garage doors, gates and fences.
While out on the road, drivers have bumped into lamp posts, signs and trolley bays. Indeed, one in fifty drivers hit a pothole so deep it caused significant damage to their cars.
As much as those involved feel the embarrassment of bumping into inanimate objects, the level of damage caused by these self-inflicted crashes range from scuffed wheel arches to broken bumpers and smashed windscreens.
Top 10 items crashed into by drivers;
1. Wall – 10%
2=. Kerb – 7%
2=. Bollard – 7%
4. Tree – 5%
5. Barrier – 4%
6=. Lamp post – 2%
6=. Gate – 2%
6=. Fence – 2%
6=. Pothole – 2%
6=. Garage – 2%
Descriptions of incidents from drivers;
“Driver was reversing into their garage and misjudged the space, causing damage to the front of the car.”
“Driver hit a lamp post when parking, blinded by sun shining in eyes.”
“Driver left their handbrake off and car rolled backwards into a tree.”
“Driver pulled into driveway and scraped their wall whilst parking.”
“Driver leaving Sainsbury's car park and clipped the railings around the trolley park.”
Lapses of concentration, as well as distractions both inside and outside the vehicle can lead to low-speed crashes. This is highlighted in The AA’s latest advert, where the driver’s eye has caught sight of a rather unusual shadow. The advert showcases the complimentary AA Accident Assist service which all members can use, regardless of who they are insured by.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said; “Occasionally, driver’s do things they consider ‘silly’, and a low-speed single car bump is high on the list.
“Forgetting to put the handbrake on, misjudging the entry onto the drive or even clipping the kerb can initially be embarrassing. However, that embarrassment soon turns to annoyance when they spot the scuff on the door or a crack in the bumper.
“What might seem an innocuous knock can soon turn out to be a nightmare to resolve, with trying to find someone reputable to fix the damage at a fair and reasonable price.
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